write-off

noun

"write-off" is a 8-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“write-off” is uncommon English (outside the top frequency list), classed as a noun. The kind of spelling people second-guess.

Unranked
below top-frequency English
9
letters

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - The cancellation of an item; the amount cancelled or lost.

Key facts for write-off
PropertyValue
Headwordwrite-off
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
Letters9
Misspellings tracked0
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “write-off” sits in English frequency

write-off falls outside the top-100,000 ranked English words, the long-tail zone of technical, archaic, or low-frequency vocabulary, exactly where readers second-guess spellings most.

Beyond rank #100,000. Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Rare enough to double-check

write-off is uncommon English outside the top frequency list, classed as anoun. Rarity is why readers land here mid-draft. 2 senses are on record.

write-off has no tracked misspelling variants, since its letter pattern doesn't lend itself to common typo substitutions. It is not paired with a close-neighbour confusable in our dataset, which usually means its spelling is distinct enough that readers don't reach for a similar-looking word instead.

Etymologically, the entry records: Deverbal from write off. The correct English form is write-off, spelled W-R-I-T-E---O-F-F.

Definition

  1. 1
    The cancellation of an item; the amount cancelled or lost.
  2. 2
    Something that is now worthless (such as a car after an accident).

Etymology

Deverbal from write off.

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "write-off"?
"write-off" is spelled W-R-I-T-E---O-F-F.
What does "write-off" mean?
As a noun, "write-off" means: The cancellation of an item; the amount cancelled or lost.
What is the origin of the word "write-off"?
Deverbal from write off. See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “write-off”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is W-R-I-T-E---O-F-F - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words
Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list